Manager confirms latest as Ipswich defender emerges as alternative

After falling out of favor at Portman Road, the former Pompey target has emerged as a January consideration.

John Mousinho has stated that Pompey are looking for a defender, with George Edmundson emerging as a January target.

The Blues are said to be interested in the Ipswich Town centre-half in January, with the January transfer market opening on Monday.

After making just five appearances this season, the 26-year-old has fallen out of favor with the Championship leaders.

The former Derby County and Rangers midfielder signed a four-year contract at Portman Road in 2021 and has made 64 appearances for the Tractor Boys, including 25 last season as they won promotion from League One.

Mousinho has conceded that a central defender is likely to be on Pompey’s wish list in the coming weeks.

‘We’re one centre-half down, so it’s a possibility,’ he said. There’s also the possibility of Connor Ogilvie returning from injury and filling in there.

‘Obviously, having Regan Poole out for that long is a factor for us, but we’re not going to do anything that we don’t think helps the side. That is something we must take into serious account while considering any transfer.’

Edmundson has been chased by Pompey on several occasions throughout the years, with Kenny Jackett interested when he joined Rangers from Oldham in 2019. Danny Cowley then claimed that when he joined Paul Cook’s Ipswich Town two years ago, the Blues were “blown out of the water.”

When asked about his interest in Edmundson, Mousinho was hesitant to speak directly about the Manchester-born player.

‘I learned this the hard way in the summer,’ he continued, referring to an Ipswich player named Panutche Camara and his fitness.

The lesson I learnt from that was that unless the player is on a free or through the door, it’s generally best not to speak about them when they are contracted to another club. That is irrelevant of whether any rumour is accurate or not, so that is what we will do and will not comment on.

‘We’ll make sure with the transfer policy and spending a little of time with Rich (Hughes) in the hotel yesterday that we’re strong in terms of how we want to move forward. So we’ll finish the game on Monday, reassess, and proceed from there.’